Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in El Cajon, California, United States

Last updated: 2025-01-31

Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in El Cajon? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in El Cajon:

Average Daily Rate

$337

Occupancy Rate

47.08%

Annual Revenue

$46,800

Revenue Growth YoY

-2.85%

Best Month

July

Worst Month

January

Regulation

Low

Active Listings

142

How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in El Cajon?

The short-term rental market in El Cajon shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:

Typical properties (median) earn $3,133 per month
Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $6,249 or more
Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $11,977+ monthly
Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,605

Revenue Variations by Month

Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in El Cajon

The market in El Cajon shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:

Typical properties (median) maintain 49% occupancy rates
Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 71% or higher
Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 86%+occupancy
Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 24%

Occupancy Variations by Month

Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in El Cajon

Daily rates in El Cajon vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:

Typical properties (median) generate $150 per night
Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $354 or more
Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $765+ per night
Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $105

Daily Rate Variations by Month

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Seasonality patterns in El Cajon

Peak Season (July, June, May)

Revenue peaks at $7145.75 per month
Occupancy rates reach 67.00%
Daily rates average $336.26

Shoulder Season

Revenue averages $5340.68 per month
Occupancy maintains 48.73%
Daily rates hold at $319.27

Low Season (February, October, January)

Revenue drops to $3701.97 per month
Occupancy decreases to 37.86%
Daily rates adjust to $294.24

Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in El Cajon in 2025?

Yes! El Cajon demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 49% and strong monthly revenue averaging $5341 and The market's 142 active listings indicate growing demand with plenty of opportunity for new properties. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:

Peak Season Strategy

Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
Enforce stricter cancellation policies

Shoulder Season Strategy

Maintain competitive market-based pricing
Offer moderate-length stay incentives
Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions

Low Season Strategy

Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
Target different guest segments (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy

Top Places to Start Airbnb in El Cajon

Area	Why Choose This Area	Key Attractions
Downtown El Cajon	The heart of El Cajon, with numerous restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. Close to public transport and attractive for both tourists and locals.	El Cajon City Hall, East County Performing Arts Center, The Magnolia, The Plaza at El Cajon, Restaurants and bars
El Cajon Valley	Nestled with beautiful views and easy access to hiking trails, this area is great for those looking for an outdoor experience nearby.	Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Cleveland National Forest, Hiking trails, Picnic areas
Buckman Springs	A more rural area with a natural setting, offering peace and tranquility. Great for travelers seeking a quiet retreat with nature.	Lakeside River Park, Nature trails, Outdoor adventure activities
Fletcher Hills	A residential neighborhood known for its family-friendly atmosphere and parks, making it appealing for families visiting El Cajon.	Fletcher Hills Park, La Mesa Park, Nearby schools and family amenities
Singing Hills	Situated near the golf course, this area attracts golf enthusiasts and visitors looking for a relaxed, suburban feel.	Singing Hills Golf Resort, Outdoor activities, Nature walks
Ranch San Diego	A growing neighborhood with new developments and modern amenities, attracting a younger demographic.	Shopping centers, Modern restaurants, Cafes and bars
Mount Helix	Known for its scenic views and residential charm, this area is perfect for those who appreciate beauty and serenity.	Mount Helix Park, Stargazing, Hiking trails, Panoramic views
Bostonia	A charming area with a small-town feel, offering access to local community events and parks.	Bostonia Park, Local shops, Community events, Family-friendly atmosphere

Do you need a license for Airbnb in El Cajon?

$1216.57

Daily Rate

Top Performing Professional Hosts in El Cajon

Host Name	Properties	Grossing Revenue	Stay Reviews	Avg Rating
Gabe	1	$466,762	136	4.87/5.0
Mark	3	$394,684	40	4.98/5.0
6688389	3	$388,664	28	3.31/5.0
Evolve	8	$348,748	147	4.61/5.0
Kim	2	$344,938	78	5.00/5.0
Jenny Magic	2	$241,029	144	4.89/5.0
Chris	2	$223,952	110	4.97/5.0
81343623	1	$221,198	4	5.00/5.0
Scott	4	$180,122	147	4.67/5.0
Teal	1	$158,470	62	5.00/5.0

Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in El Cajon

AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:

Show Advanced Metrics

Room Type Distribution

Property Type Distribution

Key Insights

Market dominated by entire home listings (83.8%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 74.7% of inventory
Strong specialty sector (19.0%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
Untapped potential in unique stays segments (0.7% combined)

Room Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 142 properties in El Cajon shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 34.5% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 50.0% of all listings.

Key Insights

Most common: 1 bedroom (34.5%)
Least common: 3 bedrooms (11.3%)
Market concentration: 50.0% in top 2 sizes
Market skew: Favors smaller properties

Guest Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 142 properties in El Cajon reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 32.4% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.7 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 2 guests make up 50.7% of the market.

Key Insights

Most common capacity: 8+ guests (32.4% of market)
Least common capacity: 5 guests (2.1% of market)
Average guest capacity: 4.7 guests per property
Market concentration: 50.7% in top 2 capacity sizes
Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities

Booking and Availability Patterns

Available Days Distribution

Booked Days Distribution

Among 142 properties in El Cajon, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (35.2% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (31.7% of properties).

Key Insights

Most common availability window: 271-366 days (35.2%)
Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (31.7%)
Properties with high availability (180+ days): 59.2%
Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 43.7%

Minimum Stay Distributions

1 Night (20.2%)

1 Night

24 listings

20.2% of total

2 Nights (37.8%)

2 Nights

45 listings

37.8% of total

3 Nights (18.5%)

3 Nights

22 listings

18.5% of total

4-6 Nights (7.6%)

4-6 Nights

9 listings

7.6% of total

7-29 Nights (3.4%)

7-29 Nights

4 listings

3.4% of total

30+ Nights (12.6%)

30+ Nights

15 listings

12.6% of total

Key Insights

Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 58.0%
Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 7.6% of listings
Monthly+ stays (12.6%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
High market flexibility with 76.5% accepting 3 nights or less

Recommendations

Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays

Cancellation Policy Distribution

Flexible (21%)

Flexible

25 listings

21% of total

Moderate (21%)

Moderate

25 listings

21% of total

Firm (22.7%)

Firm

27 listings

22.7% of total

Strict (35.3%)

Strict

42 listings

35.3% of total

Key Insights

Strict is the preferred policy at 35.3% of listings
The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (42.0%) and strict (58.0%) policies
Moderate policies are least common at 21.0% of listings

Recommendations

Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
Diverse policy distribution indicates an opportunity to differentiate through policy choice

Booking Lead Time Trends

Key Insights

Peak booking lead times occur in Jun, Jul, Dec, averaging 51 days
Shortest booking windows are in Oct, Feb, Mar, averaging 35 days
Summer shows the longest average booking window at 48 days, while Spring has the shortest at 38 days

Recommendations

Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 48 days in advance
Consider early bird discounts during Spring to encourage longer lead times
Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Oct-Mar when lead times are shortest

Popular Airbnb Amenities in El Cajon

Every property in El Cajon comes standard with Wifi. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:

Traveler Demographics

Guest Origin Distribution

Top 5 Cities of Origin

Top 5 Countries of Origin

Top 5 Languages Spoken

Age Distribution

Key Insights

Domestic travelers make up 93.4% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
Primary international markets: Mexico (1.5%) and Canada (1.4%)
English is the top language at 71.2%, followed by Spanish (22.5%)
Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 7.5%

Recommendations

Target marketing campaigns for San Diego and Los Angeles markets
Develop localized content for Mexico and Canada
Prioritize English and Spanish language support
Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns

Nearby Markets

Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding El Cajon. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:

Market	Properties	Monthly Revenue	Daily Rate	Occupancy
Rancho San Diego	28	$9,026	$520.12	53%
Thousand Palms	34	$8,092	$656.12	41%
Del Mar	108	$7,629	$627.12	51%
GlenOak Hills	38	$7,543	$595.87	40%
Newport Beach	1,268	$7,104	$643.67	46%
Lakeside	34	$6,788	$501.20	51%
Rancho Santa Fe	28	$6,225	$732.90	41%
Bermuda Dunes	138	$6,223	$599.06	39%
Santa Margarita Ranchos	17	$6,083	$483.27	37%
North Tustin	12	$5,984	$626.44	55%

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